SCEJ's recently announced PSP rhythm game Patapon looks nothing like any rhythm game we've seen before -- hell, it looks nothing like anything we've seen before.
Famitsu has a few more details on this game of little fighting eyeballs marching towards the end of the world. The player's rhythmic accuracy is what keeps these little spear-wielding eyeballs going; the better the beat sounds, the more fierce the fighting. Button presses determine how the fighters react, with each acting as a command of sorts: attack, defend, advance, and so on.
After taking down baddies in battle, the fighters can return to their village with the spoils of war, making themselves more powerful for future battles.
This all sounds great, and the screenshots look fantastic, but to really understand what's going on, this game needs to be seen in motion. The video above is a trailer shown at this year's E3. It's jam-packed with strangeness, but it's wonderful to look at. Keep an eye out for the singing tree (yep, really) at the end. He must be serious about singing, as he says, "Listen to my song, god damnit!!"
It's surprising that we haven't heard more about this title, so here's to hoping we do soon. All we know so far is that a winter release date is expected in Japan, but seeing as how all the dialouge is mumble-talk and all of the text is in English, this should be pretty import-friendly.
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Looks interesting, let's hope the style isn't implemented at the cost of substance.
The actual visual style is based on an old anime from the late 60's, I can't remember what the name of the animation was called, but it was the same one which Wind Waker was inspired by. Check out the dragon is Disney's Sleeping Beauty to see the same style.
There is also a Japanese anime called Gulliver's Travel's, or something involving Gulliver, it is also from the late 60's early 70's and also has a simliar Patapon, Wind Waker style, they were made at a time when anime was more experimental and abstract.
Don't wnat to sound like a preachy preacher, but videogame visulas are so far behind other visual mediums in terms of imagination and style.
Is this title going to be one of those niche titles that every loves but then forgets it's a niche title and tries to go mainstream but ends up boring and repetitive?
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Contest:
11:07 AM on 09.07.2007
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The actual visual style is based on an old anime from the late 60's, I can't remember what the name of the animation was called, but it was the same one which Wind Waker was inspired by. Check out the dragon is Disney's Sleeping Beauty to see the same style.
There is also a Japanese anime called Gulliver's Travel's, or something involving Gulliver, it is also from the late 60's early 70's and also has a simliar Patapon, Wind Waker style, they were made at a time when anime was more experimental and abstract.
Don't wnat to sound like a preachy preacher, but videogame visulas are so far behind other visual mediums in terms of imagination and style.
oh the hilarity